Tuesday, July 18, 2017

The auspicious Kaamika ekaadasi is to be observed on July 19th/ July 20th this year.

Schedule of observance of Ekaadasi in different regions of the world:
a) USA, Canada, and all countries in North and South America, Countries in Europe- July 19th - Sarva Ekaadasi (common to both Smaartha and Vaishnava traditions).

b) Smaartha Ekaadasi for those living in middle-East countries, India, Bangaladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Fiji, etc. ( all countries to the East of India including those that have not been spelt out explicitly here) - on July 19th.

c) Vaishnava Ekaadasi for those living in middle-East countries, India, Bangaladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Fiji, etc. ( all countries to the East of India including those that have not been spelt out explicitly here) - on July 20th.

Merits of this ekaadasi (from Brahmavaivarta puraanam)....

Observing the kaamikaa ekaadasi gives one the merit that accrues out of bathing in sacred rivers. Offering Tulsi to Lord Mahaavishnu on this day pleases our Lord more than offerings of even the Nine Gemstones of rarest quality! A devotee who does proper worship of Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves on this ekaadashi day reaches Vaikuntam directly after the end of this life. Proper observanace of this ekaadasi will please Yama Dharmaraaj also. It is customary to donate a ghee lamp/ sesame oil lamp to a Krishna temple on this ekaadashi day. Such a devotee will be blessed by all celestials. The merit accruing out of this ekaadashi is equivalent to that accruing out of recital of all Holy Scriptures.

Elsewhere, it has been mentioned by Lord Brahma to Sage Narada that the merit of observing this ekaadasi is equivalent to that obtained by donating a healthy cow along with her calf and one year's feed to a worthy vedic scholar. So, those who have vamsa Kshaya doshas in chart (yogas indicative of end of lineage due to past sins) might benefit by this ekaadasi which gives go-dhaana punya.

May our members observe this holy fast and become recipients of Divine Grace.